Receptacle in the shape of a golf club head

ABSTRACT

A receptacle for personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse, such as cigarette and cigar butts, comprises a body having a shape of a golf club head with a cavity and an opening to the cavity; and a cover disposed at the opening to gain access to the cavity.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefits of applicant'sco-pending applications, Ser. No. 09/654,773 filed on Sep. 5, 2000, Ser.No. 09/583,954 filed May 31, 2000, and No. 60/201,299, filed on May 2,2000, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a receptacle in the shape ofa golf club for storing personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc.,or refuse, such as cigarette and cigar butts and which may be attachedas a handle to an umbrella, walking stick, or other items.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a receptaclefor personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse, such ascigarette and cigar butts, that may be fixed to an umbrella or walkingstick and conveniently carried in a standard golf bag in the usualmanner of a standard golf club with the head exposed so that thereceptacle is available for the user.

[0004] It is still another object of the present invention to provide areceptacle for personal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse,such as cigarette and cigar butts, that may be fixed to an umbrella orwalking stick so that a spectator or player who may carry an umbrella orwalking stick when watching or playing golf would have a convenientlyaccessible receptacle to use.

[0005] In summary, the present invention provides a receptacle forpersonal items, such as car keys, coins, etc., or refuse, such ascigarette and cigar butts, comprising a golf club head-shaped bodyhaving a cavity with an opening; and a cover disposed at the opening togain access to the cavity.

[0006] These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle for personal items,such as car keys, coins, etc.,, such as car keys, or refuse such ascigarette and cigar butts, made in accordance with the presentinvention, shown attached to an umbrella.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the refuse receptacle of FIG. 1,shown attached to a walking stick.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a golf clubhead-shaped receptacle of FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a cover assembly made inaccordance with the present invention, shown with the cover in the openposition.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the cover assembly of FIG. 5,shown with the cover in the closed position.

[0013]FIG. 7 is side elevational view of FIG. 1, shown with the cover inthe open position.

[0014]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a receptaclemade in accordance with the present invention, shown attached to anumbrella and shown with a cover in an open position.

[0015]FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 8with the cover removed.

[0016]FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 8,shown with the cover in a closed position.

[0017]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.10.

[0018]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.10, with the cover in an open position.

[0019]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an interior side of the cover ofFIG. 12, showing a holder for cigarettes or cigars.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The receptacle R comprises a golf club head 2 or similarly shapedbody having an internal cavity 4 and a stub portion 6 with an attachmentend 8 for attachment to an umbrella 10, a walking stick 12 or any itemor structure, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cavity 4 includes ametallic or heat resistant cylindrical liner 14 to protect the head 2from the hot ashes of the cigarette butts in the case where the head 2is made of wood. Where the head 2 is made of a heat resistant material,such as aluminum or some other high temperature plastic material, theliner 14 would not be used. The cavity 4 has a circular cross-section;however, other shapes may be used.

[0021] A cover 16 is provided at the entrance opening to the cavity 4.The cover 16 may be provided with a strap 18 to function as a hinge andto retain the cover when it is removed to gain access to the cavity 4.The strap 18 may be secured to the liner 14 or to the head 2.

[0022] The attachment end 8 is in the form of a sleeve 22 into which isinserted an end of an umbrella 10 or a walking stick 12, as best shownin FIGS. 1 and 3. Other standard attachment means may also be used. Aset-screw 24 or other standard means such as glue is used to secure thesleeve 22 to the umbrella 10 or the walking stick 12.

[0023] The head 2 may be an actual golf club head or made to look like agolf club head.

[0024] A cover assembly 26 disclosed in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 may be used inlieu of the cover 16. The cover assembly 26 includes a sleeve 28 adaptedto be inserted into the cavity opening, a flange 30, and a removable cap32 secured to the flange 30 with a hinge 34. The cap 32 includes aperipheral wall 36 with a pair of aligned U-shaped slots 38 adapted toreceive a cigar or cigarette. The hinge 34 is secured by a metal pin 40that is slightly larger in diameter than the corresponding holes in thehinge sleeves 42 so that the cap 32 may be positioned at any desiredposition and held there after it has been opened. The cap 32 is shown inthe closed position in FIG. 6. In the open position, as best shown inFIG. 7, the cap 32 is held in a horizontal position to act as a holderfor a cigar or cigarette 44. The slots 38 are adapted to receive theitem 44.

[0025] To use the receptacle R, the cover 16 or cap 32 is removed fromthe opening to allow the user to deposit cigarette ash or butts into thecavity 4. The receptacle R may be used while the umbrella 10 or walkingstick 12 is held by the user or placed within a golf club bag. Thereceptacle R may also be installed in other locations convenient to theusers, using the attachment end 8 to secure the receptacle to existingstructures or support means.

[0026] Another embodiment of a receptacle T is disclosed is FIG. 8. Thereceptacle T comprises a body 46 in the shape of a golf club head with ahandle portion 48 for attachment to an umbrella, a walking stick or anyother item or structure by means of a bore 49 and glue or other standardmeans. The body 46 includes a cavity 50 with a hinging cover 52. Theopening 54 of the cavity is through the bottom portion of the body 46 toprovide convenient access to the cavity since the bottom portion isnormally directed to the top when the receptacle T, if attached to anumbrella or a walking stick and then carried in a golf club, would beoriented in the same manner as a conventional golf club would be in thebag. The bottom portion of the body 46 includes a periphery which issubstantially coextensive with the opening 54. The cavity 50 is muchlarger than the cavity 4 of the receptacle R and has a volume whichoccupies a substantial portion of the internal volume of the body 46.

[0027] The cover 52 is hinged at a portion of the body adjacent to thehandle 48. A pin 56 rotatably secures the cover 52 to the body 46 in astandard manner. Cover 52 snaps in place when closed by conventionalmeans such as cooperating projection 58 receivable in a correspondingdepression 60, as best shown in FIG. 11. The cover has an extension 62to provide a finger hold for opening the cover 52.

[0028] The cover 52 has a cigarette or cigar holder 64 molded orotherwise secured to an inner surface of the cover. Referring to FIG.13, the holder 64 includes a pair of semi-circular walls 66 and a pairof slots 68 adapted to frictionally hold a cigarette 70. The slots aredirected toward the cavity 50 when the cover 52 is opened and positionedtransversely to the opening. When the cover 52 is opened, any ashesfalling from the cigarette or cigar held by the holder will falldirectly into cavity 50, as best shown in FIG. 12. The holder 64 maytake on a different form as long as the cigarette or cigar when S heldin place would direct the falling ashes directly into the cavity 50.

[0029] The receptacle T provides a large compartment for storing carkeys, jewelry, bills, coins and other items to free the user's pocketspace during play. The large cavity also provides a receptacle forstoring trash, such as candy wrappers, adhesive bandages, tissues,broken tees, etc. Due to the large opening 54, the cavity 50 is easy tofill, empty and clean.

[0030] The body 46 and the cover 52 are preferably made of fireproof orfire-resistant materials to allow for the safe disposal cigarettefilters and cigar butts.

[0031] Although the receptacles R and T are shown attached to anumbrella or walking stick, it should be understood that the receptaclescan be attached to other items, or may be used by themselves.

[0032] While this invention has been described as having preferreddesign, it is understood that it is capable of further modification,uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of theinvention and including such departures from the present disclosure ascome within known or customary practice in the art to which theinvention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features setforth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of theappended claims.

I claim:
 1. A receptacle, comprising: a) a golf club head-shaped bodyhaving a cavity and an opening to said cavity; and b) a removable coverdisposed at said opening to gain access to said cavity.
 2. A receptacleas in claim 1, wherein said cover includes a holder to hold a cigaretteor cigar.
 3. A receptacle as in claim 2, wherein said holder includes apair of slots configured to hold a cigarette or cigar.
 4. A receptacleas in claim 1, wherein said cover is positionable in a horizontalposition when in an open position.
 5. A receptacle as in claim 2, andfurther comprising: a) a sleeve configured to receive said cover when ina closed position; and b) a hinge securing said first cover to saidsleeve.
 6. A receptacle as in claim 5, wherein: a) said hinge includes apin and a plurality of sleeves pivotably joined by said pin; and b) saidpin is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of said sleeves toselectively hold said cover in an open position.
 7. A receptacle as inclaim 2, and further comprising: a) a sleeve configured to receive saidcover when in a closed position; and b) a strap securing said cover tosaid sleeve.
 8. A receptacle as in claim 1, and further comprising acylindrical sleeve disposed within said cavity.
 9. A receptacle as inclaim 1, wherein said body is a golf club head.
 10. A receptacle as inclaim 1, and further comprising an umbrella secured to said attachmentportion.
 11. A receptacle as in claim 1, and further comprising awalking stick secured to said attachment portion.
 12. A receptacle as inclaim 1, wherein said cavity is round in cross-section.
 13. A receptacleas in claim 1, wherein said body is in the shape of a driver.
 14. Areceptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is heat resistant.
 15. Areceptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is made of wood.
 16. Areceptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is made of metal.
 17. Areceptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body is made of plastic.
 18. Areceptacle as in claim 1, wherein said body includes an attachmentportion to fix said body to an item.
 19. A receptacle, comprising: a) abody having a shape of a golf club head, said body having a cavity andan opening to said cavity; b) a cover operably secured to said body andoperably associated with said opening to gain access to said cavity; andc) said opening is disposed on a bottom portion of said body.
 20. Areceptacle as in claim 19, wherein said cover is hingedly secured to aportion of said body.
 21. A receptacle as in claim 19, wherein: a) saidcover includes an inside surface; and b) a cigarette holder disposed onsaid inside surface.
 22. A receptacle as in claim 21, wherein saidholder includes a pair of slots disposed opposite each other in acircular wall.
 23. A receptacle as in claim 22, wherein said slots arealigned toward said opening when said cover is opened and positionedtransversely to said opening.
 24. A receptacle as in claim 19, andfurther comprising: a) a pin rotatably secured to said cover and saidbody to hingedly secure said cover to said body.
 25. A receptacle as inclaim 19, wherein: a) said body includes a bottom portion with aperiphery; and b) said opening is substantially coextensive with saidperiphery.
 26. A receptacle as in claim 19, wherein said body includes ahandle portion to fix said body to an item.
 27. A receptacle as in claim26, and further comprising an umbrella secured to said handle portion.28. A receptacle as in claim 26, and further comprising a walking sticksecured to said handle portion.
 29. A receptacle as in claim 16, whereinsaid cover is hingedly secured to a portion of said body adjacent saidhandle portion.